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Viewing cable 08ADDISABABA3116, VOA HORN OF AFRICA SERVICE CHIEF DISCUSSES VOA

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Reference ID Created Released Classification Origin
08ADDISABABA3116 2008-11-17 09:22 2011-08-25 00:00 UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY Embassy Addis Ababa
VZCZCXRO2597
RR RUEHROV
DE RUEHDS #3116/01 3220922
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 170922Z NOV 08
FM AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 2757
INFO RUCNIAD/IGAD COLLECTIVE
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 3251
RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 1807
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC
RUEPADJ/CJTF HOA
RUEKDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC
RUEWMFD/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE
RHMFIUU/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL
RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC
RHEHAAA/NSC WASHDC
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ADDIS ABABA 003116 
 
SIPDIS 
SENSITIVE 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PHUM PGOV KPAO ET
SUBJECT: VOA HORN OF AFRICA SERVICE CHIEF DISCUSSES VOA 
ACCESS WITH PRIME MINISTER ADVISOR BEREKET 
 
Summary 
------- 
 
1. (SBU) Voice of America (VOA) Horn of Africa Service Chief 
David Arnold met with Advisor to the Prime Minister Bereket 
Simon on October 23 to request the Ethiopian government (GoE) 
to consider favorably VOA applications for licenses for VOA 
reporters (local stringers) to be based outside Addis Ababa 
and to urge the GoE to grant VOA reporters greater access to 
senior GoE officials, especially on stories related to 
Ethiopia's progress on, and challenges with, development. 
Bereket said he did not think the Ethiopian government would 
be inclined to grant additional licenses, citing the 
Ethiopian government's negative perception of VOA's coverage 
of Ethiopia at this time, but said that he would discuss the 
matter with his colleagues.  Arnold said VOA's coverage is 
fair and balanced and urged Bereket to communicate the GoE's 
concerns regularly and specifically to VOA in Washington. 
The Embassy's Information Officer and Political Officer 
accompanied Arnold.  End Summary. 
 
A Sour Relationship 
------------------- 
 
2. (SBU) Bereket said that the GoE-VOA relationship "has been 
soured" for several years.  He insisted that the GoE has 
"never attacked VOA, but VOA works seriously to derail 
Ethiopia's whole (development and reform) process," charging 
that VOA encourages violent opposition groups through its 
"unfounded reports."  "VOA is not doing its job 
professionally," Bereket said, adding that the GoE has 
"repeatedly appealed to all responsible parties within VOA 
but has never received an encouraging response."  Pressed by 
Arnold for specifics, Bereket says VOA operates in Ethiopia 
with a "Cold War mentality."  "Why," Bereket said, 
emphasizing that he was expressing his personal view, "do we 
even need VOA in Ethiopia?"  "VOA creates havoc," he added, 
"that's how we see it." 
 
3. (SBU) Bereket insisted that the GoE still seeks a good 
working relationship with VOA.  Nonetheless, he cited a 
recent VOA article on Ethiopian Airlines as unnecessarily 
critical and therefore harmful to Ethiopia's image.  Bereket 
says Ethiopian policymakers must balance the need for 
Ethiopians' access to information and the need to ensure that 
"negative oriented media" does not derail Ethiopia's 
progress.  In response, Arnold said VOA maintains rigorous 
professional standards and objectivity and pressed Bereket to 
communicate any specific concerns with VOA Washington on a 
regular basis, so that VOA can work with the GoE most 
effectively to address such concerns.  Bereket replied that 
the if the Ethiopian government raised every concern, "we 
would be asking for a correction every day, and we have other 
jobs to do.  We've given up hope on trying to compile all the 
negative campaigns by VOA."  Arnold noted that the VOA has 
very little access to senior Ethiopian officials, and greater 
access would permit VOA to provide greater coverage of the 
GoE's perspective.  Bereket said such access might be 
possible. 
 
Bereket: VOA Works With Those Who Promote Instability 
--------------------------------------------- -------- 
 
4. (SBU) The Ethiopian government monitors VOA daily, Bereket 
said, adding that senior officials do not listen to VOA 
because it is a "biased and prejudiced media outlet." 
Bereket explained that "We know most of the people working at 
VOA because we fought together in the liberation struggle. 
We know that they are very powerful, 'untouchables,' so we 
can't predict a significant paradigm shift in VOA.  We know 
VOA leadership in Washington thinks the coverage is fine, and 
will be rated highly in your internal evaluations, but we on 
the receiving end have a different perspective.  We are 
trying to stabilize the country, fight terrorism, promote 
development and democratize.  For us, improving VOA has 
become a dead end.  Our goal now is simply to give a local 
alternative to Ethiopian listeners.  We can just try to rebut 
(VOA mis/disinformation) using our own media." 
 
Bereket: Ethiopians Need Unbiased Information 
--------------------------------------------- 
 
ADDIS ABAB 00003116  002 OF 002 
 
 
 
5. (SBU) Arnold responded that, while GoE views are clear, 
VOA seeks to tell relevant stories about the challenges and 
progress of Ethiopians from all parts of the country.  Arnold 
added that additional VOA reporters in Ethiopia would only 
enhance, not detract from, VOA's coverage.  Bereket was 
reluctant to agree to expansion of VOA's service in Ethiopia, 
noting, "Expansion of service at this time would lead to a 
worsening of the relationship.  It would be difficult to 
comprehend.  'Ethiopian Idol' (or similar entertainment 
programs) might be okay, but it would be offset by VOA's 
campaigns against Ethiopian Airlines and the Ethiopian 
government.  The 2010 elections are approaching and 
Ethiopians need nonpartisan, unbiased information."  Bereket 
acknowledged that VOA as an organization primarily "has the 
independent interests of the American people at heart - and 
we respect that," but added that "(some members of VOA) are 
working hand in hand with people trying to destabilize the 
whole country." 
 
6. (SBU) Arnold noted that a free press and greater access by 
journalists to a broad cross-section of the population is 
important for any democratization process.  Bereket, however, 
retorted that should the Ethiopian government "start giving 
licenses and then revoking them, we will be portrayed as a 
country that is against the media.  We can't abide by the 
relentless campaigns against us, and although we have never 
spoken a word against the United States, we are attacked for 
our supposed mistakes.  We are asking for fair treatment, and 
I see no encouraging signs."  Bereket agreed finally to 
discuss the possibility of additional licenses for VOA 
reporters "with my colleagues," but added his personal 
opinion that "what good would it do for Ethiopia?  More 
damage would not help." 
 
7. (U) David Arnold did not have the opportunity to review 
this cable prior to his departure from Ethiopia. 
YAMAMOTO